Archive for " April, 2011 "

What is a Rash?

A rash is the abnormal change in the skin and this change affects the texture, color and appearance of the skin. The rash might affect an individual’s entire body or may be just localized at one part. Rashes can be painful and might cause the skin to become cracked, dry, sore or itch. Thus the treatment for rashes varies depending on different factors.

What is an Itch?

Itching is an unpleasant feeling in the human body that causes the reflex or desire to scratch. Research has proved that itching has a number of similarities to pain but their behavioral response patterns are different. While itch leads to scratch reflex, pain leads to withdrawal reflex.

Itchy Rash Vs Non Itchy Rash

Rashes can be of two types, they could either induce an itching sensation or they might be non itchy rashes. While conditions such as goose bumps, roseola, skin tags and warts are non itchy, conditions such as bumpy hives, folliculitis and acne are itchy in nature. The severity of the itching sensation varies from disorder to disorder. For example, a person suffering from severe psoriasis will suffer from itchy rash condition where as an individual suffering from mild psoriasis may not feel the urge to itch. At times, severe sun poisoning condition also might lead to itchy rash condition.

Side Effects of Painkillers

Painkillers are being increasingly used in every household and these include both over the counter painkillers and the ones that are prescribed by doctors. Painkillers are used mostly for temporary relief from pain and are regularly used and prescribed for medical conditions such as migraines, arthritis, back injuries and others. Many a times, painkillers are prescribed for aiding in the recovery process after surgeries. As with any other product, excessive use of painkillers can have many side effects. Some of these side effects of painkillers are simple in nature and do not cause any severe harm. However, some other side effects of painkillers have been known to cause additional harmful complications in the human body. Medical practitioners ensure that they have some remedy for the painkillers suggested by them. But, patients taking over the counter painkillers should be extremely careful as they not bear the risk the harmful side effects of painkillers but may also lead to painkillers addiction if consumed in excess over a prolonged duration. There have been extensive studies reported in the side effects of painkillers. Pregnant women should be extra careful while taking painkillers as some of the painkillers may have undesired effects on the unborn kid. Some of the common side effects of painkillers which also manifest as painkiller addition symptoms are Constipation, Drowsiness, Addiction, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects and Mental Side Effects.

Cures for Cough

Coughing is a way by which the body removes foreign bodies from the human body and keeps the throat and airways clean. However, many a times, coughing is a symptom of other disease or disorder and it is very important to know how to treat a cough. Coughs can either be dry or productive. Productive coughs are those that bring out mucus from the body. The mucus is also known as phlegm or sputum. Depending on the duration, cough can be categorized into acute coughs, sub-acute coughs and chronic coughs. Chronic coughs could last longer than 8 weeks whereas sub-acute cough and acute cough can last for 3-8 weeks and 3 weeks respectively.

Causes of Cough

Most coughs occur due to infection in the upper airways. These infections can occur due to common cold and flu. Other causes include asthma and exposure to certain allergic substances. Lung infections particularly those caused by pneumonia or acute bronchitis also lead to chronic coughing. Diseases such as bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, tumors, gastroesohageal reflux disease can also lead to coughing. Excessive exposure to secondhand smoke air pollutants are also common causes for soughing. Certain medications especially those that are used to control blood pressure can also cause coughing.